Spring



March 18, 1930. w, G, wlLsoN 1,751,261

SPRING Filed Oct. 5, 1928 2 ASheets-Sheet l IN VEA/TOR.

A TTORNE Yy.

March 18, 1930.

w. G. WILSON 1,751,261

SPRING Filed Oct. 3, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet .2

if l/g 7 c A TTORNE Ys.

Patented Mar. 18, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcE WYLIE e. WILSON, or JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, AssIGNoE To. EvEELAsTrNG VALVE COMPANY, A coEPoEEr-ron @E ivEw JEEsEY SPRING Application filed October 3, 1928. Serial No. 310,170.

rIhis invention comprises a new article of manufacture which may generically be referred to as a spring, and specifically as a type of spring having distinctive features or characteristics whichmake itl adaptable for various uses.

rEhe spring in question is made in the form of a progressive helix or hollow cone, the convolutions of said helix being such that i0 when the spring is axially compressed said convolutions will pass each other in adj acent relation but without Contact, and when fully compressed such convolutions will lie in a common plane. Details of construction and operation will be more fully described later. The utility of the invention resides prima rily in the constitution of a spring which may be interposed between relatively movable parts in order to maintain the same in resilient relation. Its specific characteristics are that it operates within a relatively short axis and that it functions within relatively narrow limitations so that the same may be interposed between relatively movable part-s that are adjacent one another. The spring is 'seated on a broad base and is therefore not easily tilted or distorted from its primary position and, when axially compressed, the convolutions of the spring pass each the other without contact, and when fully compressed between relatively movable faces such convolutions lie in a common plane, the width of the spring under such conditions correspondingV to the cross section diameter of the wire of which the spring is formed, and when released from such compression moves along the line of a relatively short axis to a point of repose with relatively great length of resilient movement. It may be noted also that, owing to the long radius of the bending action when the spring is compressed, it is impossible to break the wire or other resilient material of which' the springmay be made by repeated compression of the spring. It may also be noted that in the construction of such a spring, heavy resilient wire or other resilient material may be employed, thus producing a spring having any desired degree of resiliency, and having such stable qualities as to secure for it continuous operation without deterioration.

`The spring in the instant case is so organized that when compressed along the line of its axis or retracted along the same line, the convolutions of said spring, while lying ad jacent each to the other, are sufficiently sepai rated so that they do not make contact, thus avoiding any frictional engagement or con-V i tact which might operate detrimentally in the abrasion of the surfaces yof such convolutions in a way either to deteriorate a coating or plating, or to wear away `the material of which such convolutions may be formed in such a way as to weaken the same. y

Another advantage of the specific construc-y tion of the spring of the instant case is thatY the termini of the said helix lie approximately in a plane parallel with the axis of said spring and common to one radius of said axis. It has been found that this construction and relation are of importance in the operation of such a spring.

' It maybe further said of this spring, in view of the fact that all the convolutions thereof lie in the same plane under conditions of complete compression, that the total crushing load is distributed over all they coils of its convolutions, and consequently the spring of the instant case will withstand without injury .a total4 crushing load which would completely destroy and distort a spring in which any one coil overlay any other coil when the spring `was fully compressed and subjected to crushing pressure.

rlhe spring of this invention should not be confused with conventional conical helical springs such as have vheretofore been suggested and used in various ways. Prolonged experimentation and research with such conical helical springs has fully demonstrated that when such prior. springs are placed under axial compression between parallel surfaces, they invariably react in a direction which is not truly perpendicular to these surfaces, with the result that their small ends will creep and bring about pressure in opposite directions which is perpendicular to neither of the surfaces between which the spring is c acting. The spring of the present invention must be not only of conical, helical shape and the convolutions must not only be so related to one another that the spring may be collapsed into a commonv plane without adjacent convolutions contacting with one anothei', but the spring must also be so formed that the termini of the helix lie in a plane parallel to the axis of the spring and common to one radius of said axis. Furthermore, it is preferable that the successive convolutions of the spring be arranged in arithmetical progressionwith respect to the radial distances of such convolutions. Y

l/Vh en such a spring is compressed between parallel surfaces, the spring will react in a truly perpendicular relation with respect to said surfaces and there will be no tendency whatsoever for the spring to tilt or creep laterally.

Features of the invention, other than those specied, will be apparent from the hereinafterV description and claims when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. y

The accompanying drawings illustrate the preferred practical embodiment of the invention andthe structure there-in shown is to be understood as illustrat'veonly and not as delining the limits of the invention.

Figure l is a vertical section of the spring embodying this invention with an anti-friction stud attached thereto, such spring and stud being interposed between two relatively movable surfaces, and the spring being shown as fully expanded.

- Figure 2 is a vertical section -of the spring f shown in Figure l, but with the spring partially compressed.

Figure 3 shows the yspring pressed.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the spring without the anti-friction stud.

Figures 5 and 6 are diagrammatic views collectively affording a comparison between the mode of operation of the present spring and the manner in which conical, helical springs of the prior art operated in the-same environment.

fully com- Figures 7 and 8 are diagrammatic views wherein the structure of the spring of this invention is compared with conical, helical springs of the prior art.

Figure 9 is a cross-section of the wire from which-the spring is formed, showing saine with a protecting coating or covering.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l shows the spring freeof compression. F igure 2 shows it substantially one-lialf compressed and Figure 3 shows it fully compressed. It will be noted from these figures that the spring is in the form of a progressive .lielix or hollow cone. This helix, while unitary, is composed of what are called convolutions. They are .designated by theV reference characters l, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in Figures l to 3. The convolutions l to 5 are the terminal "1'y convolutions of the spring.

allel to the axis of the spring. It is desired tomaintain these faces in parallel relation to one another during such movement and the members on which the faces are formed will, of course, vary in accordance with the different environments in which the spring yis used.

Particular attention is called to two fundamental characteristics of the present spring, viz the convolutions are so formed that when the spring is placed under compression between the surfaces 6 andr 7 the convolutions thereqf, while adjacent each to the other, do not contact with one another and when fully compressed, as illustrated in Figure 8, all convolutions lie in a common plane, the depth of which corresponds to the diameter of the wire from whichthe spring is formed. Under these conditions, it Vwi-ll beobvious that the spring may be subjected to a crushing strain without injury to the convolutions or to the spring as a whole, and when such strain 'is relieved it will react along the line of the axis of the spring. 1 Y

I also particularly call attention'to the fact that the termini 8 and 9 of thespring are positioned approximately in a plane parallel with the axis of the spring and common to one radius of said axis as shown by the line D-D in Figure t This latter feature is of marked importance aswill be Vapparent from the following discussion of the diagrammatic figures of the dra-wings.

Figure 7 shows a diagrammatic plan view of the spring of this inventionand I have passed through the axis X a number of lines indicating planes vwhich `intersect said axis. These planes are designated A-A, B-B, 0*@ and D--Dandassociated with each of these lines, I have shown the section of the spring inthe vcorresponding plane.` Particular attention isV called Vto the fact .that in theV i four sections illustrated, the spring is symmetrical aboutV its axis in each instance. In other words, in each of these four sections, there are the same number of convolutions of the spring on each side of the axis. This is brought about by the fact that the termini 8 and 9 of they spring are positioned in substantially the plane D-D and at one and the same side of the axis X.

VInorder that the arrangement of the spring of this invention, which is clearly apparent in Figure 7, may be compared with conventional, conical, helical springs known to the arts in general, I have shown the usual spring construction diagrammatically in Figure 8 in a manner corresponding to the showing in Figure '7, and haveopened up'the convolutions somewhat to make the comparison clearer. In these two Figuresv (7 and 8), like parts are designated by like reference characters with primes in the latter figure.

It will be noted that in Figure 8, the'terminal 9 at the large end of the helix is at substantially the plane D"D, while the terminal 8 at the small end of the helix is at substantially the plane M -A. This is a manner commonly employed in the various arts in the manufacture of conical, helical springs and the result isthat the several sections taken at the planes designated show a non-symmetrical formation at each side of the axis of the spring in each instance. Note, for example, the section at the plane A-A. There is one more convolution at the right h alnd side of the axis X than at the left hand s1 e.

It will thus appear from a comparison of Figures 7 and 8 that while applicants spring is symmetrical throughout, the conical springs of the prior art are not so constructed.

This difference renders the springs of the prior art inoperative to properly function in environments wherein the spring of this invention functions with the highest utility. The reasons for these differences in the practical application of the invention between relatively movable surfaces l6 and 7 are rendered clearly apparent from la comparison of Figures 5 and 6. Whe-n my spring is compressed between the surfaces 6 and 7, the fact that kthe spring'is symmetrical about its axis X will make all portions of the spring 1 uniformly compressible with a resultant axial reaction along the line X which will be perpendicular to both surfaces 6 and 7. There will thus be no tendency of the spring to tilt nor any tendency of the spring to exert any more pressure on one side of the'axis than on the other side thereof.v Moreover, there will be no tendency of the spring to tilt either of the surfaces 6 and 7 and as a result, these surfaces will be maintained in parallel relation.

If reference is now had to Figure 6, it'will i be noted that the same conditions do not there exist for the spring is not symmetrical about the axis-X. Here, for the 'purpose of illustration, the sectionshown is as taken in the plane M -A of Figure 8, so that there are six convolutions on one side of the axis X and only five on the other side of said axis. As a result, the side having five convolutions if will apply a greater pressure than the side having six convolutions so that there is a tendency to tilt the surface 6 and 7 as shown and to tilt the axis of the spring as shown at X.

It will thus be apparent that the spring of the present invention is capable of performing functions and also of operating in a manner wholly distinct from and not performable by springs as heretofore constructed. The ability of the spring to thus function is and for the purpose 'of making clear the exact fg f course slight construction of the spring. variations from this formula vwould not depart from the spirit of the invention. It is,

however, of the first importance that the said I progressive helix of said hollow cone should be formed so that the eonvolutions of said helix, when axially compressed, will pass each the other in adjacent relation but without contact so that whenfully compressed said convolutions will lie in a common plane.

It is also desirable that the termini of said helix shall'lie approximately in a plane parallel with said axis andcommon to one' radius ofsaid axis. Satisfactory results may be attained when the said termini are not exactly in the plane of a common radius, but experience has demonstrated thatthe position indicated is the most suitable to accomplish the purposes contemplated.

In Figures l to 3 of the drawings, the small end of the spring isshown as provided with a stud to bear against the surfacey 6. This stud is shown as having a hemispherical head lO of sufiicient diameter to bear upon the uppermost convolution 1 and this head is proi' vided with a shank 11 which extends into the uppermost convolution and is preferably formed withy a circumferential channel in which the uppermost convolution seats to hold the stud against inadvertent displacement when the spring is removed from between the surfaces 6 and 7. In many practical uses of the spring, the` stud is found desirable although the invention is not limited to the use thereof. A

The construction of the present spring in such manner that when fully compressed the successive convolutions will not engage with one another makes it possible to provide the, spring with a coating indicated at 12 in Figure 9 which coating may be of anyv suitable non-corrosive substance, and the' purpose of which is to fully protect the spring'against corrosive attack. Vhen the spring is compressed, the convolutions will not touch one another and consequently the coating will not be abraded or worn away aswould be the case in spring constructions of theprior art.

It will also loe noted that in the `spring asy shown in the drawings the rod or wire from which thespring is formed is of uniform diameter throughout its entire length' so as to impart uniformity of operation to the spring.

The foregoingv detailed description sets forth the invention in its preferred practical iiio - parallel with said axis and common to one radius ofV said axis.

2. A new article of manufacture .comprising a .spring in the forinof -a progressive helix or hollow-conc, the convolutions lof said helix being such that when the spring is .axially .compressed said convolutions can pass each other without contact, and when fully compressed such convolutions will lie in a common plane, .the termini of ,said helix A.lying approximately .a plane parallel with sa-id' axis Vand common :to one radius of said axis,

3. A newv article off manufacture Icomprising a.v spring in the form of a progressivehelix or hollowcone, Lthe convolutions ,of said helix beingfsuch that when Lthe spring is axiallycompressed said convolutions can pass .each the other in adjacent relation, but without.. Contact, vand when :fully compressed such convolutions will lie in acoInInon plane, said convolutions beingpso disposed about `a centralaxis that radii-emanating from said axis y in planes Vvperpendfic'ular to'said axis engage Asaid .convolutionslat distances from Said faXS in .arithmetical progression.

Y4:. A new article of manuiacture Vcomprising a spring the form .of .a progressive helix or hollow cone, .the convolutions of said helix beingsuch that when the spring :is axially compressed said convoliitionseeii apaSS each the other in adjacent relation, but Wei-thout contact, and when ful-ly compressed such Iconvolutions will lie in eornmonlplane, ,Seid convolutions ,being so kdisposed `about a lcen- ;tral .axis that radiiemanating fronisaid axis in planes perpendicular .to said axis in arith- `metical progression,- theteni-nini of said helix 'lying approximately a plane parallel with said axis and common toone radius of said axis..

.5. A new article of manufacture. comprising a spring in the'form .Off .a progressive :helix or hollowcone, ,the convolutions of Isaid helix'being such thatwlien `=the spring is ax ially compressed said convolutions can pass .each the .other isn adjacent relation, but without contact, whenzaully eompressedsueli .eonvolutions will lie in e common plane, said .eonvolutions being-so disposed about -a vCelr eral axis that fredii emanating .from lSaid axis in planes perpendicular to said axis engage said 4convolutions at distances ,from said axis in arithmetical progression, `said spring having at its apex an axial aperture, and a stud having asuitable head provided with a shank litting loosely into said aperture with the head engaging the apex of said spring.

6. A new article of manufact-ure compris,- ing a ,spring inthe form .O-, a progressive helix or hollow cone, the convolutions ofsaid helix being such that when the spring is ax# ially compressed said convolutions `can pass each the :other in adjacent relation, .but with.- out contact, and when fully compressed such convolutions will lie in common plane, :said convolutions beingso disposedabout a centrai axisthat radii emanating'froln Said axis in planes perpendicular to said axis .engage said convolutions-at distances from said axis in ,arithmetical progression, the termini of said helix lying approximately in a plane parallel with said axis 4and common to .one radius of said .ax-is, said spring having at its apex an axial aperture, and a Astud having a suitable head provided with a shank fitting loosely into said aperture'vwith the head en.- gaging the apex of said spring.

7. A new article of manufacture, comprising a spring in the form .of `a progressive helix or hollow cone, the convolutions of said.

helix being such that when fthe spring is axially compressed said convolutions can pass each the other in adjacent relation, vbut without con-tact, and when full-y compressed such convolutions will lie in a common plane, said convolutions being so disposed about "a .central axis that radii emanating from said axis in planes perpendicular to said a-Xis ,engage saidfconvolutions at distances from'said axis in arithmetical progression, the termini of said helix lying approximately in aplane parallel l,with said` axis and common toone radius of said axis, said spring having at its apex an axial aperture, and alstud havingk :a suitable head provided with a VShank fitting loosely into said aperture with the head engaging with the apex of said spring,'with means for securing said stud ,against-displacement from said aperture. f

Signed by me at Jersey City7 this 28th day of September, :1928. Y.

WYLIE G. WILSON 

